GALION - When teams meet in the regional tournament of any sport, often it's two schools somewhat unfamiliar with each other.

For the Lady Tigers, that isn't the case: they faced their upcoming opponent less than three weeks ago in a non-league contest.

Galion faces No. 4 in the state Cardington for the second time this season on Wednesday at Findlay High School in a Division-III regional semifinal. When the teams last met on May 5, it was a doubleheader played with three teams.

Fredericktown faced Cardington in the first game of the day, which saw the Freddies win 5-2. Immediately after, the victors faced Galion and lost 10-3. Then, Galion and Cardington played with the Lady Pirates coming away with a 6-1 win.

“They’re a good-hitting team, they have good pitching, they play good defense," Galion coach Doug Hunt said. "When you get to this point, everybody is good."

In that loss, Galion managed just six hits — the Lady Tigers' season average is closer to 11 per game. Hunt, along with the entire team, thinks that will be the difference in Wednesday's matchup.

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Gracie Groves swings at a pitch against Clear Fork in the district semifinal.(Photo: Zachary Holden/Telegraph-Forum)

“We need to hit the gaps more; I think that’ll be a big thing to work on," junior Gracie Groves said. "Our fielding is pretty strong, we usually play good defense — we just need to get some good hits behind us.”

The Lady Tigers had a 1-0 lead early on before Cardington tied it up and then took a 2-1 lead before going on to win by five. Freshman Alaina Sparks chalked up her team's performance to them just being off that day. Having to play back-to-back, as opposed to getting a break between games, surely took a toll on the girls.

“The day we played them, we were just having a rough day and I think that we can really come back (and win)," Sparks said.

Galion assistant coach Todd Galownia said hitting, base-running and most importantly, defense, will be key to a win on Wednesday.

Defense has been something that has carried Galion throughout the final stretch of the season, especially in the postseason. The Lady Tigers shut out New London in a sectional title game, gave up five quick runs to Clear Fork then used big defensive stands late to hold on for the win, and held a potent Crestview team to just one run in the district championship.

“We know we have talent, you can see them play … there’s just no pressure on them," Galownia said. "They’re out here playing to have fun and we’ve gone out and knocked off the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in our district and they’re just having a good time.”

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Madelyn Thomas pitches against Crestview in the district final.(Photo: Zachary Holden/Telegraph-Forum)

Madelyn Thomas, who split pitching duties with Gabby Kaple in the first meeting with Cardington, said the teams know what to expect heading into round two.

“We know they can hit," Thomas said. "We’ve already played them once, I think we’ll be prepared for Wednesday.”

Thomas will likely take on full pitching duties in the regional semifinal and look to limit a potentially dangerous Lady Pirates offense boasting six hitters batting over .400. Kiersan George, Casey Bertke and Baylee Adams have combined for 125 RBIs, so limiting opposing runners on base — something else Galownia noted as a must-do — will be key.

Bertke boasts a 22-3 record as a pitcher this season with a 1.55 ERA and 106 strikeouts. It will be up to the Lady Tigers to get to her early and they easily can with hitters like Nevaeh Clark (.500), Emily Sedmak (.492) and Gabby Kaple (.488), as well as Kate Schieber who can blast one over the fences at any time.

As for now, the team is just enjoying the moment after making it back to the regional tournament for the first time in 32 years and will be seeking their first regional win in school history.

“Who would’ve thought? It’s pretty incredible," Hunt said. "The girls are excited and I think the whole community is excited.”

Galion and Cardington square off at Findlay High School at 5 p.m. Wednesday with a spot in the regional championship on the line.